NBD: Sandberg California V Short Scale

[grayn]

A couple of months ago, I was in Promenade Music, buying a nylon string guitar and spotted a rather lovely, short scale Sandberg bass.  It's matt redburst finish, ebony fingerboard and black hardware, really impressed me.  So, after 2 months of trying not to think about it, I went over to Morecambe, to check it out.  I have owned a number of Sandbergs over the years, including a Lionel Short Scale, and they have never disappointed.  It's a simple P-style bass but oozes quality.  The split-coil pickup is clear, punchy and full of character, with a lovely harmonic range.  The neck, like every Sandberg I have owned plays just right, with a solidity and high quality that matches or surpasses anything else in this style.  Yes, this is a serious bass, that looks very cool, to my eyes and really performs through my bass set-up (Galien-Kruger/Mark Bass).

 

[LeftyJ]

Nice! I don't really like the tort guard, but I love everything else about it! These are great little basses, I love mine. Mine is a brownburst with pau ferro board and black guard. 

[Obrienp]

I’m confused. Why is it called V when it’s a four and how does it differ from a Lionel?

[simonlittle]

@Obrienp The V in Sandberg World refers to the precision-style split coil pickup. T being a jazz pickup and M being a Musicman style humbucker. Hence a VM has one split coil and one humbucker etc…

That’s a lovely looking bass @grayn 👌

Edited November 15 by simonlittle

[Obrienp]

5 minutes ago, simonlittle said:

@Obrienp The V in Sandberg World refers to the precision-style split coil pickup. T being a jazz pickup and M being a Musicman style humbucker. Hence a VM has one split coil and one humbucker etc…

That’s a lovely looking bass @grayn 👌

Well that’s a good way to confuse punters! Still doesn’t explain how it differs from a Lionel. It’s a lovely looking bass though and I’m sure it’s great to play.

[grayn]

35 minutes ago, Obrienp said:

Well that’s a good way to confuse punters! Still doesn’t explain how it differs from a Lionel. It’s a lovely looking bass though and I’m sure it’s great to play.

I have owned a Lionel, not long back, but am not really sure of the difference.

It was a great bass but I'd give this the edge over it.  Not sure why.  Just feels that bit more solid and classy.

[pineweasel]

Nice bass. Lionel is just the name for Sandberg’s short scale California VS, so I’d say this one is a Lionel too. 

[LeftyJ]

2 hours ago, pineweasel said:

Nice bass. Lionel is just the name for Sandberg’s short scale California VS, so I’d say this one is a Lionel too. 

 

Yep, that's accurate. 

[grayn]

22 hours ago, LeftyJ said:

 

Yep, that's accurate. 

Interesting, thanks.  The shop told me is wasn't a Lionel but I'm happy either way.

Loved Sandbergs for many a year and now I'm a short scale player, these are perfect.

[fretmeister]

It’s definitely a Lionel. I have one as well and I love it.

Such an easy instrument to play.

[fretmeister]

Also, that red is really nice. Much better in your photos than on their website.

[fretmeister]

On 15/11/2024 at 18:23, Obrienp said:

I’m confused. Why is it called V when it’s a four and how does it differ from a Lionel?

Because it means V and not 5.

 

Basically Sandberg used to use P and J terms and Fender got annoyed.

 

So the PS (precision) became VS, the JJ4 (two J pickups) became TT4 and so on. PM used to be a Precision and a Musicman pickup and now it’s VM, JM4 (jazz and mm) is now TM4.

 

The OP bass is technically a Lionel VS4. Lionel because it’s short scale and as it has a solitary precision pickup and 4 strings it is a VS4.

 

These days you can get a Lionel TT4 as well. And for that matter, any pickup configuration you like if you special order it.

 

Mine was a special order made to Superlight specs so it weighs 5.7lb.

Edited November 17 by fretmeister

[Obrienp]

@fretmeister Thanks for the explanation. I won’t be confused in future. A friend just got a Lionel off BC and he is very pleased with it. I have a custom PJ shorty, which means I’m not in the market for a P (or should I say V) SS but if I was, this would definitely be on my list.